[DianneW]

#1073627

Hi Brian,

I have migraines that began after I was on replacement hormone following RAI. There is no history of migraines anywhere in my family, and I was in my late 40’s when I had my first migraine. My migraines, like yours, always begin while I’m sleeping. I was working when they began, and they always began on work days (now that you mention it). However, I still have them now that I’m retired.

The differences I can note are that I have had a low body temperature since I’ve been on replacement hormone, even though I’m on T4/T3, and I haven’t noticed a lowered body temperature on migraine days. I will try taking my temperature and see if there is a change.

I’ve had relief from these migraines by taking either Maxalt or Imitrex, and my neurologist has also prescribed Topamax (an anti-epileptic) which works as a migraine prophylactic. I’ve had a greatly reduced number of migraines since I’ve been taking it. I was having several a week every week, and now it’s down to several a week every month or two.

IThere seems to be an association between Graves’ Disease and onset of migraine. How many people here have had their first onset of migraine after their GD diagnosis? I"m curious.

[brian1039]

#1019717

Hello all,

I was diagnosed with Graves’ in 2000 and have been euthyroid since 2001 and on the same dose of 175 mcg of Levoxyl (T4). I don’t take T3. I feel good overall, but I have been having occasional migraines that I wake up with about once every other month.

This has been going on for several years and seems to have these common characteristics:

– I always wake up with it
– It typically happens on a Tuesday, especially coming back to work on Monday following a holiday or vacation
– They happen on almost an exact 2-month cycle
– They are severe enough where I can’t function for several hours, if not all day
– My body temperature is consistently below normal (around 96.0-97.5)

My body temperature is always normal when I do not have a migraine, even in the morning.

I’ve been to two neurologists who agree that they are migraines but haven’t been able to offer up much in the way of relief or cause and effect. I was prescribed Fioricet (APAP BUTAL). Although it has worked for some of the incidents, it usually doesn’t work. So I have mostly been suffering until it works itself out.

So I am bringing this question to the thyroid forum because I wonder if there is possibly a metabolic/endocrine component. Has anyone heard of anything like this that can give some insight? Could the change or stress of being back to work affect my thyroid function? Specifically, could the conversion of T4 to T3 be impaired? Could the low temp be a result of an intermittent problem with the thyroid hormones? Could a low temperature cause these symptoms? It seems too great a coincidence.

Also, I don’t drink alcohol and have ruled out causes of food, caffeine, etc.

I have discussed the low temp with the endo, but he kind of poo-poo-ed any cause and effect. He hasn’t been able to give me a clear answer on what mechanism controls the T4 to T3 conversion and whether or not any factors can affect this conversion.

Any feedback or insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Brian

[GDRobM]

#1073628

Hi Brian, I am not sure if this will help. I don’t suffer from migraines but I know a few people that do, and they do not have thyroid issues. Apparently taking Coenzyme Q10 daily really helps. The people I know who take it have not suffered at all from migraines while they have continued taking it. They do not take any other medication now as they do not get the migraines. It would also be worth talking to a Dr about it, just in case it conflicts with something else. I am not sure about the US, but where I live it is available over the pharmacy counter without prescription. It may be worth you looking up some more information about it.
Regards
Rob

[DianneW]

#1073629

I take Coenzyme Q10 daily and have for years, but it has had no impact on my migraines. I’m glad if it has helped others, and certainly it would be worth a try, though it is a bit expensive. It’s a great anti-oxidant, which isn’t a bad thing for people with GD to be taking, since hyperthyrodisim causes excess oxidation in body tissues. For that reason I eat as many foods as possible containing anti-oxidants, and also use supplements that contain them. Other good sources are fish oil and green tea.

[brian1039]

#1073630

Dianne, Rob,

Thanks a lot for the information.

I am seeing my endo in a few weeks and I will ask him to write me a script for the lab for thyroid hormones (especially T3) so I can have blood drawn on-the-spot the next time I have a migraine and this low temp. It makes sense to me that if there’s a low level of T3 when I’m sick, they can compare that to the blood draws I have had in the past when I am well and determine if the difference is significant and whether or not it could be causing the symptoms.

The doc may not go for it, I know, and I might be barking up the wrong tree, but I figure it’s not that hard or expensive to have some blood drawn and see what’s what. An intermittent low T3 might well be to blame. I have read that T3 has a short half-life – perhaps the blood level is low when I’m suffering and then back to normal in a number of hours.

Brian

[msmissy00]

#1073631

Wow this is amazing. I have had headaches for over a yr, At night, they wake me up. So bad Im even dizzy when i get up to use the restroom. But mine go away when I go back to sleep. It never occured to me it could be my thyroid. Well i thought maybe it could be that my thyroid is larger and could be causing some sleep apnea, which is still very possibe.

[LaurelM]

#1073632

Mitral valve prolapse can cause headaches. This is a usually benign heart valve condition. Many people who have it don’t even know they have it and most people will never need any treatment for it. Interestingly, there is an association of MPV with Grave’s disease. I don’t think they know yet why for certain there is the correlation but genetics are certainly suspect. I happen to have both. It has an association with many other diseases as well or can just be a stand alone condition. (My family also has a mild form of von Willebrand’s, a genetic clotting disorder, and MPV is also associated with vW as well.) I sometimes get palpitations with it but most of the time I forget I have it. It may be worth checking with your doctor as if it does cause symptoms, they can be treated.

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